“Data from the Schott Foundation for Public Education paint a bleak picture for young black and Latino males, whose national graduation rates – at 52 percent and 58 percent respectively – put them far behind their white peers – at 78 percent – in completing high school in four years. New York State has the worst rates for black and Latino males in the country at 37 percent, and in New York City, just 28 percent of black males graduate on time, as compared to 57 percent for their white male counterparts. The authors of the new report, “The Urgency of Now,” call for a new framework for education reform that creates opportunity for every student, regardless of where he starts out in life. Here in New York City, The Children’s Aid Society is already implementing two key recommendations from the report by providing vibrant after-school and other out-of-school enrichment programs and by pioneering the community schools model in partnership with the Department of Education at more than 15 schools. In addition, a promising pilot – the African American Male Initiative – is boosting grades and improving life prospects for 40 black male students recruited in 2007 for a program combining life coaching, academic and family support. Community-based organizations like ours are innovating solutions to the intractable problems described in this report. We call on government to heed the recommendations of this report and work with like-minded organizations to expand our work to many more young black and Latino men. Only then will we close the graduation gap and improve their life outcomes.”

About The Children’s Aid Society
The Children’s Aid Society is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to serve the children of New York City. Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938/ (917) 204-8214, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.org or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.
###